The Annapurna Circuit is a circular trek around the Annapurna Mountain Range in Nepal. Although the trek is a giant loop, it offers a lot of side treks as well. One of the most popular places to do these treks is in Braka, a small village located right before Manang. Braka is positioned at an […]
Dakshinkali Temple & Asura Cave: Pharping Day Hike
My time in Pharping, Nepal felt so full. There were so many things to do and see, and I wanted to see it all. The owners of the Solid Rock Lodge offered us a few different day hikes so that we could walk and see everything at once without having to go to the dusty […]
Book Review: Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer
I’m definitely guilty of being the person who watches a movie before reading the book, and then, if the movie intrigues me, I read the book to learn the whole story. Not sophisticated. I know. But, it’s the truth. I watched Seven Years in Tibet and was curious to know the true story behind the […]
The Mera Peak Trek: What It’s Like
I’m not sure if it’s the New Yorker in me or perhaps my parent’s constant reminders that I could do anything I put my mind to, but somehow I find I sign up for things that I’m ill prepared for. Call it gumption, or more fittingly, stupidity. It’s at these times that I wonder why […]
Tansen, Palpa: City Guide & Photography
Tansen, Nepal is a special city to me because it’s the place my boyfriend was born. I have to say, I was super excited to see it, but I hadn’t done any research before arriving. It didn’t seem necessary since I had a tour guide who was born and raised there. The truth is, I […]
Australian Camp, Nepal: Village & Trekking Guide
Australian Camp, Nepal is a popular weekend destination for locals looking to escape city life in Pokhara. This trip can easily be done in a day or as an overnight trip. It’s also a popular lunch stop along the Mardi Himal Trek and the Annapurna Base Camp Trek (if you use the old route). Australian […]
Mera Peak Climbing Itinerary: 15 Day Route
I decided to climb Mera Peak on a bit of a whim when the original trek I’d planned to Upper Dolpa turned out to be too expensive. Swotah Travel & Adventure gave me a Mera Peak climbing itinerary, but after doing some research I asked if I could make some alterations. I wanted to make […]
Pharping, Nepal: Things to do, Hotels, Monasteries, Hikes & More
After finishing up a fairly exciting three day trek around the southwest portion of the Kathmandu Valley, we decided to stop in Pharping which was on the way home. It was a place I’d never heard of before, and I couldn’t even locate it on Google Maps. It seemed clear that this would be a […]
Pothana, Nepal: Village & Trekking Guide
Pothana, Nepal is a small village along the Mardi Himal trekking route just south of the Annapurna Range. It’s located in the Annapurna Conservation Area and can be accessed both by walking and by vehicle. The village formed around 1970 when expeditions began to come to the area. In 2000, it was a popular camping […]
Trekking for Beginners: 10 Simple Tips for Success
Trekking for beginners can be daunting to say the least! My very first time trekking, I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I signed up for a three day two-night trek in the hills of Myanmar. It was beautiful, but I didn’t know what to pack or what “trekking” actually was. Once I […]